AGARTALA, Dec 15 (TIWN): With another boost in Northeast Tripura connectivity under PM Modi's UDAN project, Airport Authority of India's Chief Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra has arrived here in Tripura today and held meeting with the Chief Secretary Sanjeev Ranjan. UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme) is aimed to connect small cities with big cities and Tripura's Kailashahar's name has been entered under this UDAN project. AAI Chief discussed with the Chief Secretary on pending projects like Kailashahar Aiport, some new more projects which can be developed in coming days. A meeting is going on at State Guest house with all High Officials of Agartala Airport and AAI. Talking to media, AAI Chief said, "The Regional Connectivity Scheme is meant to connect small cities with each-other and then big cities. In the 2nd round of UDAN Tripura's Kalishahar Airport is in the map".

Guruprasad Mohapatra further said on Kailashahar Airport, "Once the Airline operators want to start the operation, we will make the Airport ready".

Talking about the International Airport, Mohapatra told media, "Agartala Airport has the potentiality. That's why we have taken 500 crores project in hand and the new terminal building construction has begun. Very soon you will see a lot of demands and developments".

"Agartala Airport is doing around 13 lakhs passengers and it will increase more and more in numbers in coming days", said AAI Chief.

What is UDAN ?

UDAN-RCS, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional airport development and "Regional Connectivity Scheme" (RCS) of Govt of India, with the objective of "Let the common citizen of the country fly", aimed at making air travel affordable and widespread, to boost inclusive economy.

The UDAN Scheme is a key component of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) which was released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on June 15, 2016. The scheme will be jointly funded by the center government and state governments, several states have come on board by signing the "Memorandum of Understanding" with the union government for this scheme. UDAN RCS will connect unspecified number of new regional routes, by operationalising 100 regional airports by the end of 2018-2019 financial year, with a target of 13 lakh (1.3 million) annual passenger seats, requiring annual INR200 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF).

1st phase of UDAN is completed and Tripura is in the 2nd list of UDAN and thus the work has begun.